Dunn, a longtime Victoria College instructor and Army veteran, was the guest of honor and spoke to a crowd of some 100 students, faculty, staff and community members.

He paid homage to the first responders, many of whom lost their lives while rushing toward danger to rescue victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

The terrorist attacks "turned strangers into neighbors" across the U.S., he said. Among those listening to Dunn's remarks were VC Chief of Police Felix Appelt, VC Board of Trustees member Josie Rivera and Parkway Church Senior Pastor Mike Hurt.

Following Dunn's speech, a wreath was placed at the base of the 9/11 tree planted on campus in 2002 by the Latin American Student Organization.